From Hogwarts to the Real World: Archetypal themes in Harry Potter

Hagrid is in turmoil, because his beloved Hippogriff, Buckbeak, has been accused of harming a young student, Draco Malfoy. What had actually happened, though, is that the calculating Draco, sensing a chance to end Hagrid's career once and for all (out of sheer spite), has exaggerated his encounter with Buckbeak, feigning all sorts of "trauma" and dramatizing his painful recovery from the experience. All of this is theatrical to convince others that Hagrid really is dangerous and out of control; in reality there has been no injury, yet Draco is certain to play the part of the wounded young victim in public. The Ministry of Magic decides to open a hearing against Hagrid. Now, the M.O.M. is known for being an ineffectual, politicized, and generally incompetent board of wizards, always behind-the-times and failing to ascertain what's really going on--given over more to bureaucracy than accuracy. And to top it off, the M.O.M. is easily persuaded by scandal, pressure, and tabloid-style innuendo. (In fact, the Ministry has, at times, even imprisoned people it knew were innocent, simply to placate a public which is outraged by the Ministry's prior failures to capture and contain a real dark wizard) Hagrid tearfully explains to Harry, Ron, and Hermione what had transpired at the so-called "hearing" at the Ministry. Draco's parents, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, have attended (while Draco has not, to reinforce the "I'm too wounded to attend" script). They are wealthy and powerful, and they sit through the hearing side-by-side, with smug looks on their faces. Lucius weilds his money and power for great influence, and insists that his innocent, pure, gentle, victimized, harmless little child has been harmed by the giant, oafish renegade Hagrid's carelessness. With satisfied grins of delight, Lucius and Narcissa prevail, watching the proceedings unfold. Hagrid recalls that the Ministry hd not even considered any other possibilities, and tells the children that they had decided the outcome before there had even been a word spoken--they had already brought the axe, pre-sharpened, to impose the outcome that the Malfoys had demanded. Draco, of course, can't wait to smirk about his "victory." Convinced he has done something remarkable and glorious, he gathers sympathetic Slytherin cronies around him--Crabbe and Goyle--to relish the outcome. It is a theme he can't wait to repeat to anyone attracted to scandal and innuendo, such as Rita Skeeter, applauding his own travail and perseverance in his effort to destroy Buckbeak and smear Hagrid. After all, Draco implies, Hagrid MUST be a vicious man because look at how wounded and injured he is (cue the groan of pain for effect)! And the Ministry of Magic agreed, so it MUST be true, right? Draco sees this as a personal exoneration of his higher status, based on family wealth and community power, and becomes even more convinced of his moral and familial superiority over all the "mudbloods" who are too stupid to see Draco's self-evident righteousness.The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures arrives at Hogwarts, axe at the ready, to dispenseof Buckbeak. Draco, of course, is catapulted by this experience to fully become his father's child, effectively becoming "Lucius, jr." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubeus_Hagrid#Buckbeak

Replies

Rowling seems to have an affinity for this theme--she repeats it with Sirius Black and with Harry himself--and I speculate that it may be her response to the harsh treatment she received from some fundamentalist groups. I\'ve been researching mythological archetypes, and when an author seems to orient around some of the stronger ones I am always curious about why. I\'m journaling about this for the purpose of examining archetypes in folklore, especially as they reveal truths about our response to trauma and adversity.

yet Dumbledores common sensical logic alongside Hermiony\'s time shifter enables freedom for the two victims of beaurocracy. It isn\'t always what is known but how we choose to use the knowledge we have.
And as Dumbledore also said, who will believe 3, 13 year old kids?

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